Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon or its characters.
Author's Notes: Hey it's has been some time since last update... sorry about that. Well without further ado or a giant rambling on my part like last time, lets get this one started.
The news of a strange attack traveled all across Hoenn, a feeling of uneasiness began to settle around the citizens of every city of the region. Tales of two groups of criminal organizations trying to basically destroy the world still is very fresh on their mind. Now rumors of another organization showing up spread to all places. Even though this new prospect shook everyone even a tiny bit, slowly the people began to consider those rumors only… rumors.
A few strange occurrences happened here and there and some shady characters popping up in a few places, that was all that transpired in the span of eight days. Like a silent call, a calm before the storm, the region of Hoenn went back to its peaceful days, as the attack on Slateport had never happened. However, all of this is bound to change with the arrival of a few individuals. The stage is set and now with every actor present, the true avalanche that is Team Rainbow Rocket is about to fall down the mountain, washing away everything in its path.
"Ahh… so this is Hoenn?" A young man with pale skin and black hair walked around the bow of the large cruising ship. "It feels so nice in here." He closed his eyes, enjoying the kind touch of the fair winds on his face.
"Yeah, it does." Another young man with red hair said back, but unlike his companion, he stood further back, resting his back on the metallic wall behind him.
"Why are you back there? You can barely feel the winds if stand so close to the walls." The man with black hair looked towards the red-haired stern trainer. "I can hold you if you are scared." He grinned and winked, much to the annoyance of the other one.
"I'm not scared, thank you for the stupid comment." The red-haired looked to the side and snorted. "Hold me… outrageous."
"Look I can already see the beach." The energetic trainer with black hair pointed to the port getting closer by the second. "I wonder how things are going there. You know, we are kind of late."
The change of subject and the mood on his friend's voice made the red-haired look to the edge of the cruiser again. He bit his lower lip and frowned. "Don't know… we need to act fast." He pushed himself away from his support and walked all the way to the tip of the ship. "To make this right, that is why we are here." Much to his surprise, he felt a strong grip form on his back, a firm arm resting on his shoulders.
"Yeah, even if they are in deep dirty waters. We are here now." Without turning his face to the side to look at his friend, the trainer with black hair smiled, his own light shining through his confident expression.
A thunderous whistle announces the end of the oceanic trip, the passengers quickly gathered on the front of the ship, the presence of newcomers prompting the red-haired to slap his friend's arm away. With a quick spin, he walked away, vanishing inside the mass of people who instantly showed up to gaze at Hoenn's famous port city.
"Sheesh what was that?" A feminine voice sounded from the left side. "Looks like your friend is feeling a bit grumpy." A woman with long pink hair, arranged in a very fancy twin-ponytail, walked over to the dark-haired trainer.
He glanced at her and responded to her with a simple smile. "Not really, normally he would flip out for just getting that close to someone." With a slight movement of his head, he shifted his gaze to the crowd, trying to find his friend and failing at it.
Another whistle sounded from above, large cheering coming from the crowd as the ship finally arrived on its destination. The heavy metal anchor slid down exploding water to the air, fixing the cruiser in its spot.
"Looks like we are here." She said in a soft voice. "I hope we can bump into each other later." She winked and giggled. "Byee."
The young man only watched as she walked away; he has a slightly curious look in his eyes while staring at the mysterious woman. As she vanished away in the sea of people, he too walked away from his spot and towards the exit of the large ship. In the large hallway close to the large exit passage, he noticed a familiar face or more precisely, the familiar fiery red hair of his companion that is leaning with his back on the wall, arms crossed and serious expression in his face.
"Didn't expect to catch you here." While this is true, he only said it to provoke his friend. Which worked really well, the red-haired glared at him and clicked his tongue.
"And what would I do? Walk away and leave you here?" The moody youth mused at the thought. "If I didn't need you, maybe I would do that."
"Aww… you need me?" In an over exaggerated and almost theatrical movement, the young man with black hair raised one hand to his mouth and faked a surprised reaction. "That was the nicest thing you ever said to me."
"Arrg, just shut up." The red-haired snorted and slapped his forehead. With an annoyed scowl, he turned around and walked down the hallway, stepping down furiously to the port.
The pair of adventures wandered the famous tourist town, searching for any gossip or news of strange changes in the region. To their disappointment, no one was able to help in any useful way. After a few hours of walking on the usual tourist spot and talking to the locals, they decided that it was best to look for an answer somewhere else and if they got also find a nice place to spend this and other nights.
Yet in a very cliché way, their plan suffered from a little detour and it all began when they set one foot out of the city's gate.
"Hey, you!" A young and energetic boy called out to them with a loud shout. "You guys look like strong trainers." He looked to the red-haired first, and then to the other one, as his eyes landed on the second trainer, a wide smile crossed his lips. "Let's have a Pokémon battle."
"Scram kid, we don't have time for your stupid stunt." The red-haired waved the kid away with one hand.
"I accept your challenge." Pushing his serious companion aside, the spirited trainer walked over to the youngster trainer.
"You will?! Awesome! I'm in an undefeated streak." The kid smiled and rubbed the tip of his nose with one finger. "I will warn you that my Ninjask is pretty strong." He quickly grabbed a Poké-ball from the pocket of his short pants and called out his Pokémon companion.
"Woah, you got me scared now." With a short grin, the black haired trainer grabbed a Poké-Ball of his own. "Go easy on me okay?"
"No can do old man." The boy gave another chirp smirk. "I am a serious trainer and I will become the greatest bug trainer of the world." He pointed forward and stomped the grass with one foot. "So I always battle with full strength."
'That's the spirit.' The calm and serene expression faded away from the older trainer's face. "Oh, I forgot to tell you a little detail." He took one hand to the top of his head; a little sad grunt escaped his lips as the touch of his fingers missed a very precious item that he always had with him. "If you win this battle, you will be the new Pokémon Champion of Johto, is that all right with you?"
"What?" The little trainer eyed him confused with the statement.
"Ethan! You can't be serious." Silver growled overly annoyed with his companion's behavior.
"Okay, now that we have this cleared. Let's get this battle started!" Ethan tossed his Poké-ball in the air, a mighty show of light exploded in front of them, strong gushes of wind blowing the tree's branches away.
"W-wha-WHAT IS THAT?!" The youngster bug-catcher took three steps backward, his eyes almost jumping out of its sockets, his mouth agape. Never in his life had he laid eyes in a Pokémon like this.
"The one in front of you is the lord of the seas. His name is Lugia." Ethan said simply, he carefully watched his opponent reaction. While shock and surprise is a common reaction to anyone first seeing this mighty Pokémon, but another common reaction is fear. Something that makes Ethan disappointed when he sees in his matches.
"He… he… HE IS AWESOME!" Completely ignoring the start of their battle, the youngster jumped forward, dashing at Lugia. He walked all around the white legendary Pokémon, taken by awe he has the most bright smile in his lips. While Lugia is not the friendliest Pokémon in the world, he did not push the kid aside, the mighty lord of the seas only watched as the bug-catcher touched his long tail.
"Hey kid, are we going to battle or not?" Ethan called out to his opponent, he looked at the youngster with annoyed eyes, but in the inside, he could not be more pleased.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry" Hopping away from Lugia, he stopped in front of his Ninjask and nodded with confidence. "And stop calling me kid, my name is Todd."
"Sure thing Todd." Ethan grinned. "Now, let's go all out in our duel."
The battle of the aspiring to be the best bug-catcher in the world against the strongest trainer of Johto was very short, but it sure was very entertaining for Ethan and his young opponent. The champion could not help but admire Todd's courage for facing him with a smile after getting a glimpse of the beast he would battle, and the young kid quickly felt immense respect for the stranger he just met. After an impressive defeat, Todd thanked Ethan for taking his time to appease the youngster in his demands of battle and then zoomed away towards the city, looking forward to telling his friends about his battle.
Silver who watched the whole affair from a distance stared at Ethan's back with a conflicted and even hurt expression in his face. As Ethan turned back to his travel companion, he noticed the red-haired bad mood, which made him scratch the back of his head.
"Something wrong Silver?" Ethan called Lugia back and walked back to his complicated friend.
"Why did you do it?" Silver asked with a serious glare.
"Did what?" Ethan raised an eyebrow. "My short battle with the kid? I just felt like it, you know to fell how the trainers are in Hoenn."
"Not that!" Silver replied with an aggravated voice. "Lugia, why did you use Lugia against him? Why against a weakling like that?"
"Ahh, that…" Ethan frowned and gazed downwards, away from Silver's eyes. "When I see a greenhorn full of energy like that, I just feel the need to push them to the limit, a need to show what the peak looks like." He moved his gaze back to Silver, his expression changing to a more serious look. "That is my way of showing respect to their determination."
"What the hell is that?" Silver jumped at Ethan, he grabbed the champion by his shirt and pulled him closer. The red-haired trainer felt angry, deject and worthless. For a moment, he only stared at his rival's eyes, not saying a single word, but just for a moment. "Then why-"
"You are a different Silver." Ethan stood his ground, his eyes returning the same intense glare that Silver is shooting him. "There are only two people that I will never use Lugia against… not again." Ethan pulled his shirt away from Silver's grasp; he turned away, letting out a low sigh. "You are not a greenhorn nor a trainer chasing after my shadow. Even if you think that for some reason." With a little turn of his head, he looked at Silver again, showing him a short smile in the corner of his mouth. "You are my rival. In every battle against you, I want to win and I face you with everything I got. However, if I win with the power of a legendary Pokémon… that victory would mean nothing."
"This sounds more like an excuse." Silver said with a lower voice.
"Maybe, and maybe it is an excuse. However, this is how a feel." Ethan said back. "This may sound a bit strange to you, mister cool lone wolf. But your rivalry is important to me; I will not ruin it as I did with the whole Red situation." In an outburst of frustration, Ethan took both hands to his head, messing wildly with his hair. "Gah dammit, now I'm annoyed as hell. Let's get moving to the next city before I lose it."
Surprised by his companion sudden yells of frustration, Silver stared at Ethan with widened eyes, then cracking up in laughter.
"What now?" Ethan growled at his rival.
"Who would ever guess that the feared Champion of Johto can lose his temper so easily?" While Silver is now making fun of Ethan, he is feeling a warm sensation deep inside. For all the times they clashed against one another and all the trash talk they have tossed in both ways, this is the first time that Ethan ever shared his real feelings over their rivalry. After feeling alone and pushed aside by others for so long, it feels so good to be acknowledged by someone, even more so if the one recognizing him is Ethan.
"Yeah, who would have guessed that you can be annoying as hell?" Ethan spat back.
"Yeah, yeah." Silver walked pass his rival, smacking him on his left shoulder. "Let's get moving then. If we get stuck in the middle of nowhere when the night falls, I will use your stupid Typlosion as a bonfire."
"You leave Flames out of this!" Ethan shouted and pointed one finger at Silver.
In a flip of roles, the pair of trainers set once again on their journey across Hoenn. Now with Silver leading the way, a content smile on his lips, with Ethan walking on the back, annoyed, frowning and pouting. Just the perfect start to an adventure, at least for one of them.
"Wake up your Slakoth." Steven's voice ringed on Brendan's head.
A massive headache echoed all around, forcing the young champion to groan. He tried to open his eyes and look at his friend, but the blinding sunlight of the early morning coming from his windows forced him to roll to the side and hide his face behind his hands. "Oh, my hurts head… wait, the other way around."
"What's up with that reaction?" Steven eyed his friend with a pitying look, but a grin on his lips. "Wait, you have a hangover? Since when do you drink alcohol?" The man with steel-blue hair shouted his surprised out, much to his friend grievance.
"Stev- Please… don't yell." Brendan groaned again, he turned his back to the bed surface and slowly opened his eyes. "What time is now?"
"Past three in the afternoon and you are still in bed." Steven raised an eyebrow as he stared at Brendan. "So I've come to pick you up."
"Three…? WAIT, THREE?" Brendan jolted upwards an action that immediately regretted as his head almost exploded in pain. "Is someone waiting in the hall of the elite four?" He asked in a panic.
"Calm down Brendan, I didn't come here in behave of the league." The former champion took a sit at the end of the bed, crossing his legs as he did. "What in the world made you lose yourself in alcohol?" He frowned for a moment, a few reasons theories forming in his head. "Any troubles?"
"You couldn't be more wrong." Brendan smiled despite the fierce pain; he leaned in closer to Steven, poking him with one elbow. "I was having a bit of celebration yesterday, and Zinnia brought a bottle of wine."
"Oh, a celebration? Good for you. What were you celebrating?"
"Dunno… I forgot what it was after the third glass of wine." Brendan fell back to his bed, groaning in pain once again. "Maybe I will ask Zinnia about it later."
"Hm… who is this Zinnia?" Steven shot a mischievous smirk to his friend. "A girlfriend maybe?"
A bright red line crossed Brendan's face; he coughed trying to disguise his shock. "Girlfriend, huh…. I think she is." He said with a low voice and blushing.
"Whoa, really?! Congratulations my friend, you deserve a good love life too." The man with a self-proclaimed vast experience in romance nodded proudly after hearing the good news. "I'm looking forward to meeting the girl who conquered the champion's dormant heart."
"You already have though. You don't remember her?" Brendan said back.
"Zinnia… Zinnia… Sorry, I can't say I remember someone with that name." Steven pondered for a second with a thumb in his lips.
"The girl with the little Whismur, from the meteoroid incident." Brendan scrambled around, looking for something at the side of his bed, didn't take long for him to find his Pokénav. He fumbled around his device for a few more moments and then turned the screen to Steven. "Here, a picture I took with her a few days ago."
Steven took the gadget at his hands and looked carefully at the image. Brendan is embracing a woman with dark hair and red eyes; both sitting on little stools close to Slateport's beach. In the photo, the young champion has a very happy smile on his lips, an expression that had become somewhat rare to Brendan on his day to day.
"AHHH, Zinnia!" Steven jumped from the bed, his eyes wide open. "That crazy woman who kept ruining things." He hissed and stomped one foot on the ground. "Are you insane Brendan?"
"Hey don't be mean to her. She is not that bad." Brendan raised his right hand up. "She only wanted to help and do good. I can vouch for her."
"I still don't approve." Steven crossed his arms in front of his chest and frowned.
"Sorry dad, but I like her. Nothing you can do here." Brendan shrugged and grinned.
"I can see that... really Brendan from all the women in the world; you had to open your little heart to a crazy woman like that." Steven's angry scowl faded away, replaced by a conformed little smile. "Just take it easy okay? Dating and having your celebrations is all fine, but don't rush some things." He tightened his eyes, giving a questioning look to Brendan. "How far did you two go?"
"Steven, come on, you're not really my father." Brendan laughed at first, but as his friend/ mentor's face did not change from his questioning look, his carefree attitude died out and his face got red again. "We had a night out… on a tiny island."
"And?" Steven pressed on.
"We kissed a few times and talked until really late at night." Brendan continued, the blush on his cheeks getting worse at each word.
"Only kissed and talked? I don't think I believe you." Steven said more joking than really doubting his friend.
"What else you expected us to do?" Brendan asked genuinely. "Isn't kissing your girlfriend what you do when you two are alone?"
"Ah, I mean… Pardon, but how old are you again?" Feeling a bit silly, Steven scratched his left cheek, shifting his gaze to the side.
"Nineteen, what of it?" Brendan responded with a bit of annoyance, he glared at Steven waiting for what else the steel-blue haired man would say.
"Really? It's so heart-warming to see how pure you are." Steven's smart comment earned him a soft white pillow crashing on his face.
Brendan jumped from the bed, fuming angrily. "You invaded my house just to make fun of me?"
"It is so fun to watch you blushing timidly with this kind of talk that for a moment I had completely forgotten why I came here." Steven grabbed Brendan by the shoulder and leaned in closer to whisper something. "What would you say to a little dinner, it's about a really important business- ahem, I mean some friends of mine would be there."
"Business?" The little slip-up from Steven gave away his real intentions, in the past, Steven has tricked Brendan to attend specifics type of get-togethers and looks like he is trying to do the same thing again. "You're just trying to use me to distract those old people again aren't you?" Brendan protested against the idea. "I still remember that last time; you just got up and vanished, while I had to keep that strange family company."
"Come on, It was not that bad. What about that lady who kept shooting you a few interested glances?" Steven tapped softly on Brendan's side with his elbow.
"She was like fifty years old or something!" Brendan pushed Steven away and jumped back in his bed. He desperately wrapped himself under his blankets, hiding away from the world. "I really, really don't want to go."
"Bummer, but I will not force you." Steven said deflated. "To be honest, I don't want to go either, hahaha. Well, I will leave you to your hangover." The former champion turned away to leave, raising one hand in a simple goodbye wave. "See you later, little pure lover."
Brendan waited until the click of the front door sounded on the living room; he then poked with his head out of the blankets, letting out a little sigh. "Before he nagged all day that I should get a girlfriend, now that I have one, he found a new reason to make fun of me." Like a kick in his back, a pained jolt came to life in his forehead, remembering the young champion about his hangover. "Gah, I will just sleep the whole day and forget that today even happened…" With a quick roll of his body, he buried himself under the comfy and warm blankets again. "Pure lover… I wonder what he means with that."
His tiredness spared him only one last thought, then sleep claimed him back. Even if Brendan wishes so, today will not go away and even if he is stuck in bed for the whole time, this day will mark the start of something that will change his life, for good or worse.
"Are the others useless clowns here yet?" A woman with a very spirited voice asked a Team Rocket grunt that was unfortunate enough to be the one greeting her.
"Yes lady Violet, but please refrain for saying something like that, it would only create animosity between our ranks." The grunt found courage enough to ask his superior for a bit more subtlety. Sadly, she showed little sympathy for this, her cold gaze daring him to say any other thing back at her.
The woman known as Violet is short and slim; she wears very colorful and bright clothes, completely different from the normal attire of a Team Rocket member. Her hair is pink and fashioned in a pretty twin-ponytail; her face carries juvenile-like features, making her façade of good girl a very good disguise.
"What is the matter in calling those clowns exact what they are? Hmph." Violet pushed her way past the grunt, walking in her characteristic hops towards the big room at the end of the hall. "Heya, Violet reporting in." She barged in, doing a quick spin as she jumped in.
"You took your time…" A stoic voice responded to her fussy entrance. The owner of this voice is a man of somewhat low height, thin body, and fair skin. His hair is jet black, cut short but clearly smooth as pure silk. He is at the far back side of the room, standing away from the rest of the group, with his back resting against the wall.
"Oh, big brother Josh!" Violet clapped her hands together and smiled at the man leaning with his back on the wall. "It's so good to see you again."
"Spare us of your theatric performance. Everyone in this room knows the snake that you are." Another man said, his voice carrying an aggressive tone even on the smallest interaction. This person is a hulking beast of a man, he is large and muscular, his eyes carry a perpetual angry look in them and his face doesn't help too much to ease his unfriendly appearance. He has a red colored tomahawk hair cut with a large scar on the left side of his head.
"Oh, Violet please don't stop. I quite like when you fake being a likable person." Rush said with a large grin.
"Why, thank you." Violet bowed slightly, returning a charming smile to him. "I also like when you fake being competent."
"What did you say?" Rush roared angrily.
"Hah, now that was a funny one." The largest member said with an evil grin.
"Rush dear, you can hardly blame Violet for pointing out your failures." A woman with a charming tone raised her voice. "To lose a battle to just one Pokémon of the guardian is just… unacceptable." This woman with the voice of an angel has an equally beautiful appearance. Her body is voluptuous; her skin is smooth and clear, with silky and long blond hair sliding down all the way to her thighs.
"Even you are going to give me trash, Leyla?" Rush glared at the blond beauty.
"So what you weakling? If are trash, you shouldn't complain about getting trashed around." The large man yelled loudly.
The young man with green hair had enough, he jumped across the room, lunging himself at the giant man. "Yeah? Care to try and back your words? You are the lowest one here, Raz."
"Lowest one, huh? Now you've done it. I will gladly tear you a new one." Raz grabbed Rush by his shirt and raised him from the ground.
"Enough, both of you." Josh demanded with a cool voice. He is resting his eyes closed, his breathing is even and calm. However, the peaceful looking man got all the others on the edge after opening his mouth to talk. "Your childish behavior is very unsightly."
Raz promptly tossed Rush down to the floor, he looked at Josh with a worried expression. "My bad…"
Rush stood up, walking over to his spot once again, throwing a few dirty looks at Raz way as he did.
"Now that we are all here, what are we waiting for?" Leyla asked.
"We are waiting for the boss." Rush responded. "He will be here in a few minutes."
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Leyla grabbed a seat for herself in a fancy chair at the left corner of the room, Rush kept glaring at Raz, who glared back but refused to say or act against his companion after being warned by Josh. The silence and stoic man with black hair is standing still in his place, eyes closed and steadily breathing in a perfect rhythm.
"Oh yeah, I have some juices news." Violet raised her voice up; the silence was almost consuming her mind with boredom. "You guys will not believe this. I didn't believe when I saw it."
"Spit it out already snake. Argh… you and your little games." Raz growled with impatience.
"Geez, can't a girl have fun with her suspense?" Violet stuck her tongue out to Raz. "Anyway, like I was saying. I couldn't believe what I saw, but I saw it anyway." The energetic woman clapped her hands excitedly. "The guardian of Johto is here on Hoenn."
"What?!" A collective yell of surprised sounded inside the large room.
"Hey, Violet are you sure about this?" Rush asked frantically.
"Yep, pretty sure." She responded with a cheerful smile. "I even spoke with the guy. So nice and friendly, haha."
"Ethan…" Josh said with a grin. The stoic man opened his eyes, bright red iris glowing up as he stared at Violen. His cold gaze sending chills down the spine of the happy going woman.
"Oh, and the young boss is with him too." She finished her report with a silly grin as she was talking of Silver.
"Now that is good news. I will love to break that little traitor." Raz stormed out a burst of grim laughter.
"Don't get ahead of yourself Raz," Josh said in a warning tone. "We will not move against the young boss. That is until master Giovanni has given the order."
The double large door creaked open, the leader of the organization walking in. His lips parted in a content grin. "If he interferes with our plan in any way, you all have my permission to deal with him." Giovanni took his seat in front of a large table in the middle of the room. "Now that all my enforcers are here, it's time to change the world."
On the early evening, Steven found himself on the grim duty of accompanying a few old acquaintances in a business dinner. They are now in a group of five people, sitting on the fanciest table of the most coveted restaurant of Hoenn. While Steven insisted that they should get a private spot on the large dining hall, the others were not so keen to keep themselves away from curious eyes, which granted them the constant curious glances and gossips while they proceeded with their dinner.
"And then she was like: 'This is my last bottle of white wine.' Little did she know that we had three more on reserve." A grizzled old man busted in a fit of laughter as he told one of his tales. Two others engaged with him in a streak of loud reactions, amusing him with his hobby of sharing stories.
"Ah yes, I remember that, father." A rich woman with a fancy dress jumped in the middle of the conversation. "The face that Heleonore made when she saw the other bottles, just priceless."
Steven responded with an awkward smile, the other seemed so engrossed and interested in their talk, but it is ever so boring for the former champion. At this point, he is envying Brendan for not coming to this dreadful meeting. As the boredom got to the point of almost making him fall asleep, Steven raised from his seat in a brash hurry, making the others stare at him in surprise.
"Oh, don't mind me." He said in an elegant manner. "I need to take a little break on the restroom. I will not take long."
"That is understandable, Steven my boy. After all that wine, even I am feeling a bit full." The grizzled man acknowledged his guest needs and nodded. "But don't tarry for too long or we will drink everything before you can return." He boasted with a loud guffaw.
With a sigh of relief, Steven walked away from his table, wandering almost without aim on the restaurant's floor. For all that he cared, they could drink all the alcohol in the world, but he is taking his sweet time before going back to that boring nightmare of a meeting. He hid on the farthest corner of the place, standing behind a large pillar blocking the view to his table.
"I missed you, you know?" Steven could not help but overhear a couple talking on a table next to him.
"Yeah, yeah. Just get to the point already." The woman replied with harsh words. Steven could not help but feel sorry for the guy talking with her.
"Okay, no deviations or sweet talk then." With a defeated sigh, the man adjusted himself on his chair and reached with one hand across the table. "I really, really need you." He said with a pleading voice. "Please come with me, just like last time."
Steven could picture her reaction after hearing a loud sigh and the shifting of her legs under the table.
"What's with you and that stupid face?" She said back to the man. "Dammit I really can't say no to you, can I?"
"Haha, I knew you would come around." The man responded with a victorious and pompous tone of voice. "We are the perfect pair."
'Heh, good for you buddy.' Steven thought to himself. Feeling a bit curious about the couple, he turned his gaze to the table to get a good look at the newly reconciled couple. 'You have to be kidding me.' His jaws dropped and his eyes almost jumped out of its sockets. A mixed of confusion and repulsive feeling took over him. Sitting right next to him, having a happy and very cozy dinner with an unknown stranger, is Zinnia, the woman who Brendan so cheerfully bragged about on the morning.
PS - What is Steven going to do now that he has seen Zinnia with this stranger? Good thing that Brendan passed up on the dinner or things would get really messy really fast.
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ShokuAnko chapter 6 . Feb 15 – Well that makes a bit more sense, lol. But that is normal, I always get myself confused with a lot of stuff.